What is a REALTOR®?

Only real estate professionals who are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR) can call themselves REALTORS®. All REALTORS® adhere to NAR's strict Code of Ethics, which is based on professionalism and protection of the public. That's why all real estate licensees are NOT the same.

Dedicated to serving America's property owners at both local and national levels, the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, The Voice for Real Estate®, is the largest professional association at over one million members strong. So, whether you're buying or selling a home—it pays to work with a REALTOR®. Look for the REALTOR® logo when choosing your real estate agent.

What does a REALTOR® do for Home Buyers and Sellers?

Buyers

REALTORS® provide critical assistance with the home buying process. A REALTOR®:

Has many resources to assist you in your home search.Can provide objective information about each property.Can help you negotiate.Can help you determine your buying power.Provides guidance during the evaluation of the property.Can guide you through the closing process and make sure everything flows together smoothly.

Sellers

REALTORS® provide sellers invaluable services, and there are many reasons to work with one. A REALTOR®:

Can give you up-to-date information about the market, prices, financing, terms and conditions of competing properties.

Will market your property to other real estate agents and to the public.

Will know when, where and how to best market your property.

Can help you objectively evaluate every buyer's proposal without compromising your marketing position.

Can help close the sale of your home.

What Do Recent Home Buyers and Sellers Say About REALTORS®?

The 2017 NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellersprovides research results on the experiences home buyers and sellers had when purchasing or selling their home. The majority of the respondents used a REALTOR® (a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®). Here's what they had to say:

Buyers

Seventy-nine percent of recent buyers found their real estate agent to be a very useful information source. Online websites were seen as the most useful information source at 88 percent.

Eighty-seven percent of buyers recently purchased their home through a real estate agent or broker, and seven percent purchased directly from a builder or builder’s agent.

Having an agent to help them find the right home was what buyers wanted most when choosing an agent at 52 percent.

Forty-two percent of buyers used an agent that was referred to them by a friend, neighbor, or relative and 12 percent used an agent that they had worked with in the past to buy or sell a home.

Seven in 10 buyers interviewed only one real estate agent during their home search.

Eighty-nine percent of buyers would use their agent again or recommend their agent to others.

Sellers

Sixty-four percent of sellers found their agent through a referral from a friend, neighbor, or relative or used an agent they had worked with before to buy or sell a home.

Seventy-four percent of recent sellers contacted only one agent before finding the right agent they worked with to sell their home.

Ninety percent of sellers listed their homes on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which is the number one source for sellers to list their home.

Seventy-six percent of sellers reported that they provided the agent’s compensation.

The typical seller has recommended their agent twice since selling their home.

Thirty-three percent of sellers recommended their agent three or more times since selling their home.

Eighty-five percent said that they would definitely (67 percent) or probably (18 ppercent) recommend their agent for future services.

The Code of Ethics: A Commitment to the Public

The Code of Ethics of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® is the promise to the public that when dealing with a real estate agent that is a REALTOR®, they can expect honest and ethical treatment in all transaction related matters. Only REALTORS® pledge to abide by the Association's Code of Ethics and only REALTORS® are held accountable for their ethical behavior.

Some of the basic principles of the Code of Ethics include:

Protect and promote your client's interests, but be honest with all parties.

Avoid exaggeration, misrepresentation, and concealment of pertinent facts. Do not reveal facts that are confidential under the scope of your agency relationship.

Disclose present or contemplated interest in any property to all parties.

Avoid side deals without your client's informed consent.

Accept compensation from only one party, except with full disclosure and informed consent.

Keep the funds of clients and customers in escrow.

Assure, whenever possible, that transactional details are in writing.

Provide equal service to all clients and customers.

Be knowledgeable and competent in the fields of practice in which you ordinarily engage. Obtain assistance or disclose lack of experience if necessary.